Pub Offers Its Visitors A Taste Of England

First-time patrons arriving at the Windsor Tavern in downtown Hollywood are greeted by a friendly warning posted in the front window that reads: Danger -- British Dart Throwing Ahead.

If that doesn't give customers a clue to the pub's origins, the interior is a dead giveaway with its Tudor-style decor, dartboards and framed prints of London landmarks such as Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey.

In fact, everything about the place is English -- even its owner, Tom Donoghue.

The 70-seat Windsor Tavern, which opened two weeks ago at 1832 Harrison St., is Donoghue's second British pub. His first one was part of a country club that he operated in an old converted farmhouse in the late 1970s along the River Blackwater in Essex, England.

A copper post horn from the 1400s that he had hanging over his former bar is on display in the new establishment, along with a large crest bearing the Donoghue family's coat of arms.

Donoghue hopes that people stopping by his tavern will appreciate the nationalistic pride that he has instilled in his business. He has worked to make the Windsor as authentic as possible.

"I want a place that reminds British tourists and transplants of home and makes Americans feel like they are in England without having to spend the airfare,'' Donoghue said.

His pub is surrounded by other European-style establishments, including an Italian restaurant, a French bistro and an Irish tavern. "I feel that this fits in well here,'' he said.

In bringing his tavern to the city's arts and entertainment district, Donoghue took over a vacant space that had to be renovated from top to bottom. The result is a cozy setting where folks can play a game of darts, down a few pints of ale and have a conversation with friends.

The tavern also has a limited menu. Dishes include turkey sandwiches, soup of the day and chicken pot pie. Prices range from an egg salad sandwich for $3 to hot entrees such as steak and kidney pie with mashed potatoes and vegetables for $6.

In the future, Donoghue intends to offer a few more dishes and start a dart throwing league, just like the one he belongs to at My Pleasure Restaurant and Lounge, at 2736 Hollywood Blvd.

"I've been playing for 53 years,'' said Donoghue, 61. "Darts are my passion.''

Donoghue is at My Pleasure four nights a week with the league. He's there for other reasons too. He also happens to own the place, along with two businesses in Hallandale -- the Sportspage Bar at 812 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd. and Joey's Bayside Restaurant at 1975 S. Ocean Drive.

The Windsor is the first British pub that he has owned since coming to America in 1980.

"I saw what the city was doing downtown and I felt it was time to open a tavern,'' Donoghue said.

The most difficult part of getting his establishment off the ground was finding the right name, he said.

"It took me weeks,'' he said. "I wanted something that Americans would know is British. But all the popular names were taken.''

Donoghue finally decided to name the tavern after Windsor Castle, one of the queen's residences.

"It's also one of my favorite places to visit,'' he said.

Pete Hargreaves, a transplanted British native who lives in Hollywood, said he likes what Donoghue has done.

"He did a great job,'' Hargreaves said. "I like the staff, and the steak and kidney pie is out of this world. This is perfect for me. I live around the corner. Since this tavern opened, I don't have to drive into Fort Lauderdale to visit the pubs for British food.''